Sports Authority, Inc.
| Company type | Public (formerly) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sporting goods retail |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Venture capital group led by William Blair Venture Partners |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy and liquidation; brand acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods |
| Headquarters | Englewood, Colorado , United States |
Area served | United States, Puerto Rico, Japan (through license) |
Key people | Michael Foss (CEO at bankruptcy) |
| Products | Sporting goods, apparel, fitness equipment |
| Parent | Leonard Green & Partners (from 2006) |
Sports Authority, Inc. (previously known as The Sports Authority) was a prominent American retailer specializing in sporting goods, with its main office located in Englewood, Colorado. At its height, the company managed 463 outlets throughout 45 states and Puerto Rico. Its online platform facilitated both retail and multi-channel sales. Additionally, a partnership with ÆON Co., Ltd. operated licensed "Sports Authority" stores within Japan.
On March 2, 2016, Sports Authority initiated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which was subsequently converted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding. By May 18, 2016, liquidators had purchased the company’s stores, and CEO Michael Foss confirmed that all locations would shut down by August of the same year. On June 30, 2016, rival firm Dick's Sporting Goods won the bankruptcy auction for Sports Authority’s brand and intellectual property rights.
The company’s online sales platform was discontinued on July 15, 2016, redirecting visitors to Dick's Sporting Goods’ website. The acquisition of the intellectual property was officially completed on July 21, 2016.
Gart Brothers
Established in 1928 by Nathan Gart, a Denver Post paperboy who started with $50 worth of fishing rod samples, Gart Brothers experienced substantial growth over time. In 1971, the firm launched the "Sportscastle" superstore in Denver. Expansion during the 1980s involved acquiring companies such as Hagan's Sports Ltd. and Stevens Brown. By 1992, Leonard Green & Partners took control of Thrifty and became its largest shareholder.
Sportmart
Sportmart was created by the Hochberg and Cantor families in Niles, Illinois, eventually expanding to operate 60 stores across nine states. In 1998, Sportmart merged with Gart Bros. The chain briefly entered the Canadian market during the 1990s before withdrawing.
Oshman's
Originating in Houston in 1919 under founder Jake Oshman, Oshman's grew to become Texas' leading sporting goods retailer by 1965 with a total of 58 stores. It merged with Gart Bros. in 2001, two years prior to both companies uniting under the Sports Authority brand.
Sports Authority
The Sports Authority, Inc. was founded in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida by a venture capital group led by William Blair Venture Partners along with key executives including CEO Jack A. Smith. The inaugural store opened its doors in November 1987. In 1990, Kmart acquired the company and rebranded its Sports Giant outlets as Sports Authority stores. By 1995, Sports Authority operated 136 locations across 26 states and was spun off from Kmart.
Based near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sports Authority pursued aggressive growth through acquisitions and mergers, solidifying its status as a major sporting goods retailer with extensive coverage throughout the United States.
Gart Sports merges with The Sports Authority
On August 4, 2003, Gart Sports—which managed Oshman's and Sportmart—finalized a "merger of equals" with The Sports Authority, then recognized as the largest full-line sporting goods retailer in the U.S., operating 205 stores across 33 states. The merged enterprise retained The Sports Authority name and established its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado—Gart Sports’ original base. Ownership was split roughly evenly between shareholders of both companies. By May 2006, all remaining outlets were rebranded under The Sports Authority banner.
2006 Leveraged Buyout by Leonard Green & Partners
In January 2006, Sports Authority was acquired by the private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners through a leveraged buyout valued at $1.4 billion. The transaction received shareholder approval in May of the same year, resulting in Sports Authority being removed from public stock exchanges and discontinuing its SEC financial disclosures.
Copeland's Sports Acquisition
After Copeland's Sports filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2006, Sports Authority expanded its retail presence by acquiring leases for seven former Copeland's locations via a wholly owned subsidiary in November 2006.
Introduction of S.A. Elite
Around mid-2010, Sports Authority introduced "S.A. Elite," a compact-format store concept emphasizing high-end sports apparel and accessories. This brand aimed at affluent customers and had extended to the East Coast market by 2012.
Bankruptcy and Liquidation
Facing increasing financial strain from debt in early 2016, Sports Authority prepared to initiate Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Reports surfaced indicating plans to shutter all 25 stores located in Texas. The company officially filed for bankruptcy protection on March 2, 2016. Following a review of restructuring alternatives, it announced on April 26 that it intended to liquidate all assets and close store locations.
Among interested buyers were Academy Sports + Outdoors and Dick's Sporting Goods. On May 3, Sports Authority informed the bankruptcy court of its decision to sell assets via auction rather than pursue debt reorganization, initially aiming to keep stores operational. However, by May 18, attempts to prevent liquidation were unsuccessful; the case shifted to Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leading to the closure of all stores nationwide amid the broader decline affecting U.S. retail.
By late July 2016, visitors to the Sports Authority website were redirected to Dick's Sporting Goods, signaling the conclusion of its business operations.
Brands
Sports Authority provided a diverse selection of sporting goods from numerous suppliers alongside its proprietary brands. These included Alpine Design (seasonal apparel and outdoor equipment), Sims (seasonal clothing and snowboards), Aspire (women’s sportswear), SA Gear (men’s activewear and fitness gear), Tommy Armour and Ram (golf equipment), Parkside (outdoor games and trampolines), and Bodyfit by Sports Authority (fitness accessories). These private-label lines were typically produced by external manufacturers.
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
The company held naming rights for the Denver Broncos’ stadium in Denver, Colorado, known as Sports Authority Field at Mile High. After the Broncos reacquired naming rights in August 2016, the Sports Authority branding was removed. The venue was temporarily named Broncos Stadium at Mile High until Empower Retirement secured naming rights in September 2019.
Competition
Major competitors included: